Why study liberal arts and sciences?

Discover countless career opportunities

Your career possibilities are endless with a degree from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. You’ll learn to thrive in rapidly changing work environments by thinking critically, communicating effectively and adapting quickly to any situation – a broad set of skills that are invaluable to most employers. The breadth of your knowledge paired with a globally informed perspective will help you excel in any career venture.

Whether you want to be a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, a criminal investigator for the FBI, a movie director for one of Hollywood’s biggest studios or virtually any dream job in between, you can pursue a range of positions in various industries, including:

nonprofit

public service

real estate

sales

science

law

management

marketing

media

medicine

business

communications

education

finance

government

Successful people with degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Barack Obama U.S. PresidentPolitical science major

Jamie Dimon CEO of J.P. MorganPsychology major

Harold Varmus National Cancer Institute DirectorEnglish major

Ted Turner Founder of CNN and TBSClassics major

Delve deeper into our divisions

HumanitiesThe humanities explore the human experience in all its forms. Through literature, philosophy, history, foreign languages and culture, we’re able to address the challenges that confront us as human beings.

Natural sciencesThe natural sciences examine the physical world around us. By pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, we can tackle the world’s biggest problems and create solutions for the next generation.

Social sciencesThe social sciences investigate the way people behave and interact. Through understanding how society is shaped by the world around us, we’re able to develop innovations that improve the way we live.

Elizabeth Wentz, dean of social sciences at The College, is leading a project that aims to balance equity in faculty leadership. Wentz and four co-principal investigators will develop online professional development services, expand digital platforms and conduct promotion, recruiting and evaluation reviews for a multi-pronged update of STEM faculty opportunities at ASU.

Three students from The College, Ivan Bascon, Olivia Gonzalez and Grant Laufer, studied the socioeconomic and health effects of introducing solar technology to rural communities in Belize for their honors thesis. The idea came about after participating in The Global Intensive Experience, a unique study abroad program sponsored by the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.

Maria Cruz-Torres, an associate professor in the School of Transborder Studies, was recognized for her 20-year research project looking at the women behind Sinaloa's seafood industry. The project earned her the Victoria Foundation’s Eugene García Outstanding Latina/o Faculty Award. Stories of the research are documented in her first book, “Voices Throughout Time: Testimonies of Women Shrimp Traders in Sinaloa, Mexico.”

A clever use of nonscience engineering data from NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has let a team of researchers, including an Arizona State University student, measure the density of rock layers in 96-mile-wide Gale Crater. Travis Gabriel, a graduate student in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, computed what the grain density should be for the rocks and ancient lakebed sediments the rover has been driving over.

Arizona State University has partnered with Mayo Clinic to help fund innovative strides in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure and infectious diseases, as well as advancing nanobody technology and health-care practices. These innovative projects will benefit our community, locally and internationally.

Facts and Figures

25,500+

Currently enrolled students

$140 million

In research expenditures

250+

Scholarship opportunities

Enrich your college experience

We offer a variety of co-curricular programs and activities to ensure you get the most out of your college experience. From study abroad and research opportunities to local and international internships, you’ll graduate with a well-rounded educational background alongside relevant, real-world experience. Explore some of the great opportunities available to you when you study in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU.

Find internships

If you want to enhance your resume before graduation, apply for an internship. You’ll gain real-life experience and be ready to compete in today’s highly competitive workforce – all while receiving academic credit. Learn more.

Study abroad

Studying abroad is a great way to earn credits while gaining a global perspective and practical experience. More than 80% of our students who studied abroad say it helped them build essential skills for the job market. Learn more.

Partake in research

You’ll have the opportunity to work with renowned faculty on various research initiatives. Participating in these cutting-edge projects will help you develop skills and gain valuable work experience for a future career. Learn more.

“The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has prepared me for the real world in many different ways and I’m excited to use the skills it taught me to conquer my next challenge.”

Laraib

political science major

“Until I became a Sun Devil, I never knew the potential I had to be a success. I loved every minute of my classes and thoroughly enjoyed the professors who taught me. I learned, through hard work and effort, you can seriously achieve everything you’ve ever wanted. You just have to get up and do it!”

Erin

family and human development major

“The interpersonal skills I learned in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have given me a great advantage in conquering life's challenges. I have worked with and learned from people with vastly different personalities, backgrounds and nationalities. These communication skills have improved my abilities to work as a team.”

Kenneth

meteorology-climatology major

“I learned at ASU that you can overcome self-doubt! I doubted that I was talented enough to obtain a degree in English! My inner voice told when I first began the degree, ‘You cannot do this. What are you thinking?’ However, with the support of my husband, amazing professors and the English department, I successfully completed the program.”

Gary

MA in English

Academic advising

In The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you have access to top-notch professional advisory support and pre-professional programs in law, medicine and education to ensure you accomplish all your goals.